This is just one of those nagging projects that was on the "to-do" list for far too long. A few weeks ago I finally sat down, drew up the design for the parts I wanted and sent them off.
We were sick and tired of the wire lifelines forward of the rear push pit but aft of the gate stanchion. The design was to convert those lifelines to 1" .065 wall SS tube. More comfortable to lean on, sturdier and IMHO better looking.
I was going to have my local fabricator come to the boat and fully weld this but the cost would have been quite steep. We decided against using pre-made dodger/bimini "fittings" as nothing out there looked as factory or professional as I desired. It really only required two different pieces to be made.
#1 Two gate stanchions with receiver sockets for the 1" SS tube
#2 Four receiver sockets for connecting the 1" SS tube to the stern push pit
Note: Each socket accepts two set screws on the bottom side.
I had two of these welded up: (The custom stanchion bases were made two years ago)
I also had four of these made up: These are designed to fit over the 1/4" wire loops of the stern push pit quite precisely and pinch and grab them solidly when the bolt is tightened.
Cutting: For cutting 1" or 7/8" SS tube I use a #15 Ridgid pipe cutter, not a home center version but rather one from my plumbing wholesaler, and a Ridgid HD E-1240 SS cutting wheel. It makes quick and clean work of even heavy wall SS tube....
Finished Project: From start to finish it took less than 45 minutes to complete the install including cutting the tube to length on-board. I suppose if you add in the 20 minutes it took to draw the parts about 1:05 total.
*WAF = Very High
*wife acceptance factor
Total cost = $375.00
We were sick and tired of the wire lifelines forward of the rear push pit but aft of the gate stanchion. The design was to convert those lifelines to 1" .065 wall SS tube. More comfortable to lean on, sturdier and IMHO better looking.
I was going to have my local fabricator come to the boat and fully weld this but the cost would have been quite steep. We decided against using pre-made dodger/bimini "fittings" as nothing out there looked as factory or professional as I desired. It really only required two different pieces to be made.
#1 Two gate stanchions with receiver sockets for the 1" SS tube
#2 Four receiver sockets for connecting the 1" SS tube to the stern push pit
Note: Each socket accepts two set screws on the bottom side.
I had two of these welded up: (The custom stanchion bases were made two years ago)
I also had four of these made up: These are designed to fit over the 1/4" wire loops of the stern push pit quite precisely and pinch and grab them solidly when the bolt is tightened.
Cutting: For cutting 1" or 7/8" SS tube I use a #15 Ridgid pipe cutter, not a home center version but rather one from my plumbing wholesaler, and a Ridgid HD E-1240 SS cutting wheel. It makes quick and clean work of even heavy wall SS tube....
Finished Project: From start to finish it took less than 45 minutes to complete the install including cutting the tube to length on-board. I suppose if you add in the 20 minutes it took to draw the parts about 1:05 total.
*WAF = Very High
*wife acceptance factor
Total cost = $375.00